Suction nozzle with brush



A. M. LEWYT ETAL 2,682,682

SUCTION NOZZLE WITH BRUSH Original Filed Feb. 1, 1947 July 6, 1954 -2Sheets-Sheet'l PEN'HHHI HUI HI) I" f om s M m awwo W w x5 A him fir m By 1954 A. M. LEWYT ETAL SUCTION NOZZLE WITH BRUSH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Original Filed Feb. 1. 1947 INVENTORS yarae/kr ATTORNEYS Patented July6, 1954 SUCTION NOZZLE WITH BRUSH Alex M. Lewyt, New York, and Carl E.Meyerhoefer, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignors to Lewyt Corporation, Brooklyn,N. Y., a corporation of New York Continuation of abandoned applicationSerial No. 725,890, February 1, 1947. This application February 16,1953, Serial No. 337,036

4 Claims. (01. -339) This invention relates to a structurally andfunctionally improved nozzle and brush assembly and especially a nozzlewhich will be advantageous for use with a suction or vacuum cleaningapparatus.

It is an object of the invention to provide an assembly of thischaracter which will be especially useful when employed on rugs andother floor coverings; the assembly being capable of having its partsadjusted so that they will cooperate to best advantage with theparticular type of floor covering which is being cleaned.

A further object is that of furnishing a unit of this type which mayreadily be manipulated or adjusted by an inexperienced operator. Thisadjustment may be accomplished without a detailed visual inspection'ofthe parts and with a minimum of effort.

A still further object is that of providing a nozzle and brush structureand in which the brush is floatingly mounted. In accordance with thepresent teachings, such mounting will nevertheless serve to maintain thebrush in a position substantially parallel to the intake axis of thenozzle. However, as a consequence of the mounting, the brush may assumea position tilted with respect to a transverse axis. This will permit itto conform to any inequalities of the surface which is being traversedand assure a proper and thorough cooperation of the brush with thatsurface.

An additional object is that of providing an assembly of this nature andin which the brush will be substantially self-cleaning when the assemblyis in use. In other words, the brush may pick up thread and lint in theusual manner. However, due to the teachings of the present invention,these foreign materials will be automatically transferred to the suctionapparatus. Therefore, the brush will at all times remain usable.

Another object is that of designing a unit which 7 will includerelatively few parts, each individually simple and rugged inconstruction; such parts being capable of ready manufacture by quantityproduction methods and being moreover capable of being assembled byrelatively unskilled labor. When so assembled a unit is furnished whichwill operate over long periods of time with freedom from alldifficulties.

With these and other objects in mind, reference is had to the attachedsheets of drawings illustrating practical embodiments of the invention.and in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an assembly;

Fig. 2 is a partly sectional rear View thereof, taken along the lines 22and in the direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 4;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the lines 3-3 and in thedirection of the arrows as also indicated in Fig. 4;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the assembly;

Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view taken along the lines 55 and in thedirection of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing an alternate form ofconstruction;

Fig. '7 is a transverse sectional view taken along the lines 1-! and inthe direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional View taken along the lines 88 and inthe direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 1 and illustratingparticularly the positions which the brush is capable of assuming.

7 Referring primarily to Figs. 1 to 5, it will be seen that thereference numeral [0 indicates a hollow body to which a guard strip ofrubber H or similar material may be secured. As shown the body Inincludes spaced main, front and rear walls through which air may flow.The underface of this body is hollow and is preferably defined by a soleplate IV which may have a chrome finish or be formed of highly polishedmetal such as stainless steel body.

As is shown, especially in Figs. 3 and 4, the' plate l2 may be extendedin the form of contact portions [2' for engagement with the surfacebeing traversed. These contact portions are disposed adjacent theopposite ends of the body It! and extend from the underface thereof.Substantially in line with the apex portion 13 of the body I0, thisplate maybe disposed in the form of a. tubular part ll. Ridges [8 maydefine the zone between the contact portions l2 and the tubular part H.The rear wall of body It prevents rearward movement of this tubularpart.

The body It! has an apex portion I3 terminating in a hub l5. Extendingwithin the latter, as shown in Fig. 4, is a tube I4 which may berotatable with respect to the hub. Inward movement of the tube I4 beyondthe point illustrated is prevented by a flange l6. Outward movementthereof is prevented in a manner hereinafter brought out.

This tube l4 may have an angularly offset rear portion and is providedwith a groove. Within the latter, a gasket [6' may be disposed. Thisgasket will serve to seal the parts against air aesacs leakage. Also itwill provide a friction element which will restrain undesired swivelingof the parts.

Rearwardly of the tube H the plate l2 may be interrupted by a slot.Extending through the latter is a brush comprising tufts of hair it anda backing strip 26. Bearing against this backing strip are coil springs21, whichtend to project the brush. Preferably the tufts of the latternormally extend in directions substantially parallel to the axis oftubular portion ii. The movement of the brush, as it is projected orretracted, is also preferably in such direction. A plate 22 is disposedto the rear of the brush and springs; this plate in sheet furnishing therear wall for the body I!) and providing in conjunction with theadjacent surfaces a brush well.

A collar 23 encircles the hub l and is rotatable with respect thereto.This collar has an inwardly extending flange 24 which bears against arib 25, forming a part of tube i4. Collar 23 is restrained againstrearward movement with respect to the parts in that plate 22 bearsagainst the same; this plate being secured as a part of the nozzleassembly. The tube It being maintained by the collar 23, it follows thatthe rearward movement of the tube 14 is prevented althrough the latterwill be free to swivel. A further extension as forms a part of flange24. This extension, as shown especially in Fig. 2, presents a series ofnotches 2i in its inner face. ihese notches are connected by inclinedsurfaces which in aggregate define a cam portion.

As shown in Fig. 1 the ring 23 is also provided with a forward extension28 brought into alignment with indicating marks 29. The latter areassociated with the body N3; the extension 28 transversing this indicaas the ring 23 is rotated.

A plate 38 is mounted for sliding movement,

preferably in the same space which receives the brush. Such mounting maybe achieved, as shown in Fig. 5, by providing guiding portions 3! in theform of strips secured to the rear face of body iii. These guidingportions in eifect furnish tracks to confine movements of the plate 35to directions substantially parallel to the axis of tube 5?. As willalso be seen in this view, the body it may be extended rearwardly as 32,to in effect furnish well portions to receive the upper ends of thesprings 2 i.

The plate 3% has its center portion notched or recessed as shown in Fig.2. Extending rearwardly from this edge portion is a preferably integralpart 33. The latter rides in contact with the notches 2'5 and surfacesextending between the same. The lower edge of plate 38 may be bentoutwardly at a pair of spaced points. This has been indicated at 33.These outward extensions conveniently project into the tufts i9 andunderlie the backing strip 263.

As will be apparent the tube is may be connected to the wand or hose ofa vacuum cleaning apparatus and the contact portions 12' of the plate 12may ride in engagement with the surface to be cleaned. Under suchcircumstances the dust carrying air will be drawn past the ridges of lipportions l8, through the tube ll, towards the apex I3 of the body it.This air will then flow rearwardly through the tube It. As afore broughtout, the latter is swiveled so that freedom of movement of the severalparts will be permitted. Under such circumstances it will be assumedthat the brush is retracted within the which may be space between therear wall of the body and plate 22.

Should the surface to be cleaned be of such nature that a brush shouldcooperate therewith, then the operator may simply rotate ring 23. Withsuch rotation the extension 33, which has heretofore been resting withinthe extreme right end notch 21, as viewed in Fig. 2, will ride over theinclined surface to the next adjacent notch. Under the influence ofsprings 21 the brush will be projected as the extensions 33 lower topermit of this projection. As is apparent, the thrust of the springs 2|will be transmitted through these extensions 33' to the plate 38 andthus to the extension 33. The latter will, therefore, remain in firmcontact with the face of the cam portion. Accordingly the brush will beprotected beyond the plane of the contact portions l2. This will assurea cooperation of the brush with the surface being cleaned. If a morevigorous engagement of the part is desired then continued rotation ofthe part of the ring 23 will allow that notched portion 2'! whichappears in the extreme left end of Fig. 2 to receive the extension 33.This distance between this notched portion and the center of the tube 14being greatest, it follows that a corresponding projection of the brushwill result. W'hile only three notched portions 21 have beenillustrated, it is apparent that a greater or lesser number of the samemight be provided.

The same result is achieved by the form of construction shown in Figs. 6and 7. In these views the numeral 3 indicates the body of the nozzle,which is formed with the usual opening defining its under-face and thispassages communicating with an apex portion in line with which a tubularpart 38 is disposed. This tube may bear against an inner retaining ring31 to limit its inward movement. An outer retaining ring 38 may encirclethe tube 36 and be secured to the rear face of body 34 in a manner suchas is indicated at 39. A plate ii] is secured to the rear edges of thebody 34 at a point spaced from the nozzle portion 35 to provide a brushwell.

Disposed within this space is a brush including a row of tufts or fibers4! and a backing strip s2. A support 43 in the form of a plate, isslidably mounted between guides or rails 44. Leaf springs 45,conveniently in the form of inverted Vs bear adjacent their ends againstthe upper edge of the backing strip 42. The apices of these springs mayhave bearing in abutments it, formed in the body 34. Extensions 4! mayform parts of the plate or shifting member 63 and extend in supportingrelationship with respect to the backing strip.

It will be understood that the springs 45 will normally urge the brushto a projected position. The brush will be restrained from suchmovementby the extensions 41. A ring 48 may encircle the over-lappingportions of body 34 and the tube 36 and be rotatable with respect to thesame. This ring may support a housing portion 69, the inner surface ofwhich is cam-shaped and tangentially disposed. This permits operationssimilar to those heretofore described under the reference numeral 27, inFig. 2. An extension 50 forms a part of the actuator or plate i3 andrides within the surface of the housing 49. Therefore, the projectingtendency of the spring 45 is restrained. However, by rotating the ring48 agreater or less projection of the brush may be assured.

It will be understood that in'both of the illustra'ted embodiments thespring or springs are normally tending to project the brush. The camstructure serves to retract the same. Obviously, the parts can bearranged so that the reverse would be true. However, it is preferredthat the functioning of the parts be as illustrated. Aside from otheradvantages, by having the springs normally tending to project the brush,any blow or strain on the latter will be cushioned. In other words, aforce suflicient to cause the brush to retract will effect a withdrawalof the same into thenozzle bodyto a greater or lesser extent.Accordingly the probability of damage occurring willibe reduced to aminimum.

As will also be apparent with respect to the brush, it may tilt aroundan axis transverse with respect to its body. In other words, in view ofthe manner in which it is supported, it will normally have .its loweredge substantially parallel to the lower edge portions of the nozzle.However, if due to inequalities of the surface or otherwise morepressure is exerted against one end of the brush than against the other,the former end will be tilted upwardly. As soon as'the pressure isrelieved the parts will re-assume their normal positions.

Finally, with respect to this particular portion of the assembly, itwill be observed as in both Figs. 4 and 7, that the brush is supportedin a manner such that it may-within limitsmove in any desired direction.I In addition to the action brought out in the preceding paragraphswhich results follow from this construction, it is apparent that thebrush may incline or rock around its longitudinal-axis. This has beengen- 'erally indicated in Fig. 8. In that view there has been indicatedthe two different positions which the brush may assume incident to suchpivoting. Position A is the one which the brush will normally assumewhen the nozzle is being moved in a forward direction, or in other wordsto the left as in this figure. When a rear stroke is undertaken then thebrush will assume position B. As will be appreciated in connection withposition A, the brush may readily pick up materials from the surfacebeing cleaned. These may include dust particles, thread, lint, etc.When, however, the brush is traversing a surface and assumes position B,the tufts assume an inclined or tipped position. Under thesecircumstances and in cooperation with the surface being cleaned, lint,thread and other materials will be stripped from the tufts. Thesematerials as freed will be drawn into the nozzle and so into the suctionapparatus,

connected therewith.

Thus, among others, the several objects of the invention as specificallyafore stated are achieved. Obviously numerous changes in constructionand rearrangement of the parts might be resorted to without departingfrom the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims.

This application is a continuation of our prior application for UnitedStates Letters Patent Serial No. 725,890 filed February 1, 1947 and nowabandoned.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination spaced front and rear walls connected to each otheradjacent their upper and side edges to provide a hollow nozzle body thelower edges of which define an intake mouth. an outlet hub extendingrearwardly from said body and communicating with the hollow interiorthereof, a collar rotatably encircling said hub, an extension forming apart of said collar and providing an upwardly facing cam surface, a

brush and a plate mounted for sliding movement adjacent the outer faceof said rear wall, an upper extension projecting laterally from saidplate, a lower extension also projecting laterally from said plate, thelower of said extensions supporting said brush to restrain the same fromdownward movement, the upper of said exten sions engaging said camsurface to have sliding movement with respect thereto, a spring bearingagainst said nozzle body and brush to urge the latter downwardly in thedirection of the nozzle mouth and into firm contact with the lower plateextension supporting it, the plate being thereby urged in acorresponding direction and. the upper extension of said plateaccordingly bearing in sliding and firm contact with the cam surface.

2. In combination spaced front and rear walls connected to each otheradjacent their upper and side edges to provide a hollow nozzle body thelower edges of which define an intake month, an outlet hub extendingrearwardly from said body and communicating with the hollow interiorthereof, a collar rotatably encircling said hub, an extension forming apart of said collar and pro-- viding an upwardly facing cam surface, abrush and a plate mounted for sliding movement adjacent the outer faceof said rear wall, an upper extension projecting laterally from saidplate, a lower extension also projecting laterally from said plate, thelower of said extensions supporting said brush to restrain the same fromdownward movement, the upper of said extensions engaging said camsurface to have sliding movement with respect thereto, a spring bearingagainst said nozzle body and brush to urge the latter downwardly in thedirection of the nozzle mouth and into firm contact with the lower plateextension supporting it, the plate being thereby urged in acorresponding direction, the upper extension of said plate accordinglybearing in sliding and firm contact with the cam surface and a closureplate secured to said nozzle body to the rear of said slidable plate andbrush, said closure plate bearing against a collar surface to retain thesame position upon said hub.

3. In combination spaced front and rear walls I connected to each otheradjacent their upper and side edges to provide a hollow nozzle body thelower edges of which define an intake mouth, an outlet hub extendingrearwardly from said body and communicating with the hollow interiorthereof, a collar rotatably encircling said hub, an extension forming apart of said collar and providing an upwardly facing cam surface, abrush and a plate mounted for sliding movement adjacent the outer faceof said rear wall, an upper extension projecting laterally from saidplate, a lower extension also projecting laterally from said plate, thelower of said extensions supportin said brush to restrain the same fromdownward movement, the upper of said extensions engaging said camsurface to have sliding movement with respect thereto, a spring bearingagainst said nozzle body and brush to urge the latter downwardly in thedirection of the nozzle mouth and into firm contact with th lower plateextension supporting it, the plate being thereby urged in acorresponding direction, the upper extension of said plate accordinglybearing in sliding and. firm contact with the cam surface and anextension forming a part of said collar adjacent the upper portionthereof and projecting in the direction of said front wall to traversethe surface of said nozzle body and indicate the position in which saidbrush is retained by said spring and cam surface.

4. In combination spaced front and rear walls connected to each otheradjacent theinupper and side edges to provide a hollow nozzle body thelower edges of which defin an intake mouth, an outlet hub extendingrearwardly from said body and communicating with the hollow interiorthereof, a collar rotatably encircling said hub, an extension forming apart of said collar and providing an upwardly facing cam surface, abrush and a plate mounted for sliding movement adjacent the outer faceor said rear wall, an upper extension projecting laterally from saidplate, a lower extension also projecting laterally from said plate, thelower of said extensions supporting said brush to restrain the same fromdownward movement, the upper of said extensions engaging said camsurface to have sliding movement with respect thereto, spring stripsdisposed in the .form of inverted Vs, the arms of said springs bearingagainst said brush and the crotch portions thereof being supported bysaid body to urge said brush downwardly in the direction 8v of thenozzle mouth and into firm contact with the lower plate extensionsupporting it, the plate being thereby urged in a correspondingdirection and the upper extension of said plate accordingly bearing insliding and firm contact with the cam surface.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,413,545 Throop l Apr. 1-8, 1922 1,462,971 Rieman July 17,1923 1,483,972 Hoover ..'a Feb. 19, 1924 1,884,044 Martirlet Oct. 25',1932 2,153,457 Fechtenburg Apr, 4, 1939 2,205,82 Dunbar June 25, 19402,310,554 Seyfried Feb. 9, 1943 2,314,081 Dow et al Mar. 16,19432,520,506 Weiland Dec, 9, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date213,420 Switzerland May 1, 1941 217,208 Switzerland r Jan. 16, 1942

